Frugal hobbies

[GREENBACK]

First post
I've been lurking here for a few months and finally decided to join the fun. I am, by nature, pretty frugal but do enjoy somewhat expensive hobbies. I'm an outdoorsman (fish, hunt, camp....etc.). These aren't neccesarily expensive hobbies but they can be. I bought a 18k boat to fish out of several years ago and a 20 k truck to haul it with. I have, over the years, spent quite a bit on these types of items. I'm not rich, but these were not things I couldn't afford either. I'll never recover the cost of these items in terms of the fish I catch but those who golf or bowl don't get any thing to eat at the end of their day. Cooking is also a hobby of mine, so the things I harvest go to that( gourmet cooking without the gourmet price). I also enjoy gardening and that's a big time money saver. I was just curious if others have what they might consider to be frugal hobbies. I'm not pretending that I've saved any incredible sum from these hobbies but I'm getting something back which feels good. I also own two labrador retrievers which is a whole budget item and "hobby" in and of it's self. Kind of a strange new post, I guess, but I don't have any financial woes at the moment....sorry. I consider these to be frugal hobbies and was curious if others do things that "pay" them back in some way.

[Staceyy]

I enjoy looking for ways to be frugal, couponing and I'm also learning to garden. I'm a trained pastry chef and I enjoy reading.

[scfr]

It seems that any hobby that involves exercise pays you back in lower medical expenses, tho some sports can get a bit spendy. I love to take my dog for walks ... The only expenses are good walking shoes, a leash, and some suncreen.

[Snave]

I like photography as a hobby that can be fairly inexpensive. Most people have a pretty decent digital camera nowadays. Clearly everyone on here has a computer, so add in photoshop software at about $75 and you can do just about anything. It's relaxing and you can add in exercise if you do some hiking to take pictures. As well, we have blown up a lot of our pictures and have bought inexpensive frames for home decorating. As well, we give some of the pictures in frames (of the kids) to family members for holidays. Or, we do calendars, etc...

[maat55]

Reading has become my new hobby, golf was a little expensive. Golf will always be my passion, but becoming financially independent is my first priority for now.

My dumb brothers have motorcycles and boats for me to use, but they have no money. I've been giving them books to read, maybe it will help.

[Snave]

maat55, I am assuming the books are financial in nature.

[maat55]

maat55, I am assuming the books are financial in nature.

Of course, I sure as heck aren't giving them my magazines with all the great pictures.

[GREENBACK]

I Always Find It Interesting To Hear What Others To To Occupy Their Spare Time. For Most It Involves Spending A Lot Of Money. I Have Been Down That Road. But There Are Many Things To Do That Require You To Spend Your Last Dime.

[mrpaseo]

I highly recommend geocaching. Initial set up can be between 50 and 500 dollars, after that, nothing but leg power and a bottle of water in your way. It's fun, its outdoors (Family event) and at the end of the hike there is usually a little treasure waiting.

Check it out: Geocaching - The Official Global GPS Cache Hunt Site

Ray

PS. I am mrpaseo on there as well.

[moneybags]

2 of my frugal hobbies are selling on ebay and shopping at CVS.

[Broken Arrow]

Jogging around the park. It's cheap enough I think. Just need a good pair of shoes and appropriate clothes....

Guitar is also pretty cheap, but only because a friend of my gave me his. It's a low-end guitar, but again, it hasn't costed me a thing yet. I may pick up a few small items for it though (capo, picks, strings), but they're not urgent.

[GREENBACK]

I agree that exercise is a great frugal hobby provided you aren't spending a ton of money on a gym membership. I jog some ( partly because of work requirements). I also get paid for passing a fitness test once a year so that makes running a worthwhile hobby. I don't have a gym membership but do have three miles of country road right outside the door. It's like a free gym membership.

[feh]

I bike to work, which is more than frugal - it's a money saver.

I also jog and lift weights (free weights in my basement). I'm not sure I'd call exercising a hobby...I do enjoy it, but it's more about taking care of myself than pure enjoyment.

I used to play poker online, which was also a (small) money maker.

As a family, we go for bike rides and hikes.

[GREENBACK]

At one time I was really into running and working out at home and it was like a hobby to me. I know some runners who are very addicted to this activity so I know it's a hobby to them. I now do it for the health benefits and, as mentioned above, to meet my employers requirements for fitness but not as much as I used to.

[PrincessPerky]

Volunteering... cub scouts and girl scouts..not quite free but sure does take up my time! (plus you can fish with them double the fun)